Columbus, Ohio --  The Youngstown State women's basketball team (4-6) turned in a gutsy performance but it was not enough to take down No. 18 Ohio State in an 84-50 loss to the Buckeyes on Wednesday evening at Value City Arena.

    Senior Jessica Schloemp led the Penguins with 11 points while senior Heather Karner and junior Kelsey Gurganus each added 10 points.

    The Penguins hung tough with the Buckeyes and led by as many as six points early in the first half. Jumpers by junior Ashley Pendleton, Gurganus and Schloemp led the Penguins on a 6-0 run to take a 6-2 lead at the 17:06 mark.

    After a basket by OSU's Javelle Little, Pendleton and Schloemp anwered with lay ups to extend the Penguins edge back to six, 10-4.

    Ohio State scored five straight points to cut the Guins lead to one, 10-9, but Karner drilled a 3-pointer to lift the Penguins to a four-point lead, 13-9, with 14:36 left.

    The Buckeyes, however, scored 12 staright points to take a eight-point lead with 11:44 to go.

    A jumper and a free throw by Schloemp brought the Guins within five, 21-16, with 11 minutes left but they would not get any closer.

    The Buckeyes, who led 37-25 at the intermission, shot 66.7 percent from the field in the second half to put tthe game out of reach.

    The Guins conclude their three-game road swing and the non-league portion of their schedule against Akron, Friday, Dec. 21. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. at the J.A.R Arena in Akron, Ohio.